We've always taken a relaxed attitude with regards to finding activities to occupy my son's free time. Especially during the dog days of summer. Over the years we've tried various sports. But unless he has any kind of natural talent for it, he gets frustrated and gives up. We've done a variety of summer camps too. He loves the more intellectual ones compared to the more active ones. He's a voracious reader. Which I think is absolutely great for his age. But doesn't do a lot for his fitness. He refuses to learn how to ride his bike because of the lack of children to cruise around our neighborhood with. Not that we'd let him out of our sight even if he did. It seems like we're always trying to get him to get up and do SOMETHING! We don't care what he does. Just as long as he's doing something other than play video games and watch television.
About two years ago he expressed an interest in running with me. Since then we've done it on and off again. With my crazy schedule it's been anything but consistent. Throw in me trying to train for races and it sometimes doesn't happen at all.
Two weeks ago I saw that a local running club is sponsoring a children's cross-country race series every Wednesday night for the entire month of August. For a small fee kids can race in the 1/4 mile, 1/2 mile and mile distances. Every finisher gets a ribbon and a popsicle. They also get a snazzy t-shirt promoting trail running. After a little discussion he decided that he wanted to do it. Of course I was thrilled! This was going to force us to make time for running together.
The first Wednesday came before you know it. Funny how it seemed so easy for him to say yes earlier in the week. But when the time came to leave for the races there was a little grumbling. Initially I was just going to watch and cheer him from the sidelines. But he wanted me to run each race with him. Which I didn't mind doing one bit! Lining up for the 1/4 mile start he decided that he was going to try to run all three races. The quarter mile went quickly and it was amazing to run beside him as usual. My only complaint was that the kid races were run before an adult 5K. Which meant he was going to be in for a surprise. His three races were going to be run immediately one after the other. We barely finished the first race when they lined up for the 1/2 mile. Another great race but we had to stop briefly for him walk and catch his breath. I could tell he was exhausted at the end. But he was adamant about trying the mile too. The mile turned out to be a disaster and he got his first official DNF. He was rightfully upset. After some talking we decided that spending the morning running around at his summer camp, not having enough to eat before the race and the short rest time between races didn't help him much. He was the only kid that I saw to attempt all three races. I was proud of him for trying his best. I had an self imposed easy training week. Mostly due to cutting out my cross-training to give the steroid I was on a chance to reduce some of the inflammation I'd been suffering from in my right shoulder and hips. It felt nice to run for fun with him. The popsicle tasted good and the finisher ribbon was hung on the medal rack.
This Wednesday we had a better game plan. He ate before the race and tried to rest his legs as much as he could in the morning. He also decided that he was going to run the 1/4 mile and mile races. He'd sit out the half mile to rest. The 1/4 mile went well and he was able to run the whole distance. But disaster struck again with the mile handing him another DNF. As we headed in towards the finish line he got that look on his face that I know all too well. We walked behind the timing truck and the inevitable tears started to flow. It was a good learning lesson. Not everyone runs because it's hard and takes practice. But we still won the day with a finisher ribbon for the 1/4 mile and a popsicle. I couldn't of been prouder again. His determination is awe inspiring.
The past two weeks were disappointing for me at first. My perfect attendance with my training was broken, my injuries started to worry me and my lack of free time finally caught up with me. But after watching my son run I was reminded of how much running is similar to life. It doesn't always go as planned. You need to be flexible and gentle with yourself. Most importantly, you shouldn't let a few bad workouts or extra time off get inside your head. Interesting how my son is teaching me new things. The streak is still alive, the ultra training will continue. I tried some new stuff on my injuries which seems to have done the trick and even managed to have the most amazing 22 mile long run yesterday!
I've gotta find my video recording mojo again. My GoPro's collecting way too much dust! Hopefully in the next week I'll be bringing you some new episodes of the video podcast. We are officially half-way through the training! Adapt, overcome, persevere and ride that lightning my friends! Have a great week!
Two weeks ago I saw that a local running club is sponsoring a children's cross-country race series every Wednesday night for the entire month of August. For a small fee kids can race in the 1/4 mile, 1/2 mile and mile distances. Every finisher gets a ribbon and a popsicle. They also get a snazzy t-shirt promoting trail running. After a little discussion he decided that he wanted to do it. Of course I was thrilled! This was going to force us to make time for running together.
The first Wednesday came before you know it. Funny how it seemed so easy for him to say yes earlier in the week. But when the time came to leave for the races there was a little grumbling. Initially I was just going to watch and cheer him from the sidelines. But he wanted me to run each race with him. Which I didn't mind doing one bit! Lining up for the 1/4 mile start he decided that he was going to try to run all three races. The quarter mile went quickly and it was amazing to run beside him as usual. My only complaint was that the kid races were run before an adult 5K. Which meant he was going to be in for a surprise. His three races were going to be run immediately one after the other. We barely finished the first race when they lined up for the 1/2 mile. Another great race but we had to stop briefly for him walk and catch his breath. I could tell he was exhausted at the end. But he was adamant about trying the mile too. The mile turned out to be a disaster and he got his first official DNF. He was rightfully upset. After some talking we decided that spending the morning running around at his summer camp, not having enough to eat before the race and the short rest time between races didn't help him much. He was the only kid that I saw to attempt all three races. I was proud of him for trying his best. I had an self imposed easy training week. Mostly due to cutting out my cross-training to give the steroid I was on a chance to reduce some of the inflammation I'd been suffering from in my right shoulder and hips. It felt nice to run for fun with him. The popsicle tasted good and the finisher ribbon was hung on the medal rack.
This Wednesday we had a better game plan. He ate before the race and tried to rest his legs as much as he could in the morning. He also decided that he was going to run the 1/4 mile and mile races. He'd sit out the half mile to rest. The 1/4 mile went well and he was able to run the whole distance. But disaster struck again with the mile handing him another DNF. As we headed in towards the finish line he got that look on his face that I know all too well. We walked behind the timing truck and the inevitable tears started to flow. It was a good learning lesson. Not everyone runs because it's hard and takes practice. But we still won the day with a finisher ribbon for the 1/4 mile and a popsicle. I couldn't of been prouder again. His determination is awe inspiring.
The past two weeks were disappointing for me at first. My perfect attendance with my training was broken, my injuries started to worry me and my lack of free time finally caught up with me. But after watching my son run I was reminded of how much running is similar to life. It doesn't always go as planned. You need to be flexible and gentle with yourself. Most importantly, you shouldn't let a few bad workouts or extra time off get inside your head. Interesting how my son is teaching me new things. The streak is still alive, the ultra training will continue. I tried some new stuff on my injuries which seems to have done the trick and even managed to have the most amazing 22 mile long run yesterday!
I've gotta find my video recording mojo again. My GoPro's collecting way too much dust! Hopefully in the next week I'll be bringing you some new episodes of the video podcast. We are officially half-way through the training! Adapt, overcome, persevere and ride that lightning my friends! Have a great week!
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